Voice of Experience: Viva Hammer, Principal, KPMG Washington National Tax

VivaHammerBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“I’ve been trying to get my driver’s license in the US for seventeen years,” began Viva Hammer, Principal at KPMG Washington National Tax. She continued, “I took the written test when I was pregnant with my daughter. Two weeks ago she graduated college and a week later I passed my road test.”

The story is emblematic of the careers of many women, Hammer said. “Sometimes for women, your career can seem like a long road with lots of detours. You need a lot of faith – or desire – to believe you’re going to make it.”

Hammer, a native of Australia, moved to New York City two days after graduating law school without a job prospect in sight. Now, twenty years later, with a high profile career in US tax law, having founded several non profits and begun her book Choosing Children – and, now with her driver’s license – Hammer can say she has made it.

“Never give up,” she exclaimed. “Never, never, never, never!”

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Movers and Shakers: Jacqueline Allen, Senior Vice President, Finance, Equity Reporting, North America, Citi

jacquelineallenBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Jacqueline Allen, SVP of Finance, Equities Reporting, North America at Citi, said the achievement she is most proud of is going back to school for her MBA. She explained, “I finally took the leap after having breakfast with the CEO of Equities at Citi. It was three years ago, when Citi was entering the most tumultuous time of the downturn. The message I took away was that I needed to be the best I could be to propel my career. So I took inventory of myself and realized that to compete in the changing environment, I needed more education.”

Now that Allen has completed her MBA, she is looking for the next opportunity on the horizon.

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35 Under 35: Sarah Odell, Manager, Talent & Organization Performance, Accenture

SarahOdellBy Cleo Thompson (London), founder of The Gender Blog

British born Sarah Odell began her career in the USA thanks to her youthful prowess with a lacrosse stick. Whilst at school in Surrey, she played for the English youth lacrosse team, was spotted by a US college recruiter, and won a sports scholarship to Vanderbilt University in Tennessee where she studied Human and Organizational Development. This was followed by an MSc from Capella University in Minnesota which in turn enabled her to stay on and work in the US.

“I was very lucky! I started in the US in the telecommunications industry in learning and development, spending seven years with Sprint Nextel, primarily working to develop Learning & Development capabilities in its contact centres and delivering training to its employees all over the country.

“In 2007, I moved back to the UK with Accenture, and I now provide Learning & Development consultancy for clients in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. It’s the full cycle of consultancy, from building relationships with current and existing clients through to delivering strategic and operational services.”

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Voice of Experience: Christie Smith PhD, Principal and Northern Pacific Sector Leader for Life Sciences, Deloitte Consulting LLP

christiesmithBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Christie Smith, Principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP, is a passionate supporter of women in leadership, and has been significantly involved in the firm’s women’s initiatives since joining the organization in 2001.

The former professional golfer said, “My advice to women is to be fearless.”

One of the firm’s most senior lesbians, she has also been involved in the Deloitte’s LGBT community for about five years. In fact, she said, being a more visible “out” leader has helped her be more confident in her career. She explained, “Being comfortable with who I am and bringing my whole self to work has been a fantastic experience at Deloitte”

Now taking on a new role building the firm’s life sciences consulting practice, Smith’s fearless attitude and devotion to authenticity have helped her build a notable career.

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Voice of Experience: Shelley Hurley, Senior Executive, Executive Director, Risk Management and Global Resources Lead, Accenture

Shelley HurleyBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“Make sure that you understand what you want and also understand other’s expectations of you ,” advised Shelley Hurley, Executive Director of Risk Management and Global Resources lead at Accenture.

She explained, “Sometimes you’re asked to take on a role that you’re not comfortable with. But stretching yourself is important. Others may see strength in you that they need elsewhere in the organization.”

She added, “Flexibility will help you a great deal in the long run.”

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Voice of Experience: Jennifer Barbetta, Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Alternative Investments & Manager Selection, Goldman Sachs

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Jennifer Barbetta“You should look at your career as a marathon, not a sprint,” advised Jennifer Barbetta, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Alternative Investments & Manager Selection business at Goldman Sachs. That’s one piece advice she said she likes to share with her junior team members and those she mentors.

In fact, Barbetta said, “Watching those I have mentored find success is one of my proudest achievements.” She believes in having candid and honest conversations with her team and mentees. “These conversations provide them with the tools to help lead them down the path to success.”

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Why We Need More Gay Role Models in Financial Services

women smilingI learned a shocking statistic recently. According to a poll by the HRC [PDF], up to 51% of LGBT professionals on Wall Street are still in the closet. That means over half – half – of LGBT professionals are uncomfortable being themselves in their workplace.

We must ask why so many professionals are still afraid, in 2011, to be open about who they are and who they share their lives with. If anything, this statistic reveals some very shocking truths about the nature of inclusiveness in our top firms and companies. It’s time for those cultures to change.

This week and next, to celebrate PRIDE on Theglasshammer.com, we are featuring profiles of several amazing women who live their lives as openly gay/lesbian professionals – despite the challenges (perceived and real) that exist for LGBT individuals in the workplace. It is our hope that by shining a spotlight on these successful women, more LGBT professionals will feel inspired and empowered to bring their whole selves to work.

Theglasshammer.com was founded on the principle of creating professional networks where you can relate to people who are in the same situation as you – for example, being the only women on your team can be tough. Yet, many of us have other identities, such being a different color or nationality or being mothers. These are very visible differences, and are protected from discrimination by law. On the other hand, gay and lesbian professionals are often the invisible minority in the room, and in many respects LGBT is the last taboo in the workplace. Legal protections are still not up to par in the U.S. (In 29 states you are not protected from getting fired on the spot for being gay or “accused” of being gay.)

There are some very simple reasons why companies should work harder to create an inclusive culture for their LGBT employees.

1) You have gay clients – the business case.
2) You have gay employees – the retention case.
3) Generation Y (and many others) won’t want to work for you if you are doing nothing or doing evil around gay issues – the recruitment case.

Theglasshammer.com creates networking groups of women in financial and professional women, but perhaps one of our greatest challenges is to find senior lesbian business leaders who are “out” and visible in their firms. Why is it so hard to find a critical mass of role models to inspire other women who may be struggling to be themselves at work?

The cost or perceived cost of being “out” seems to be still very high for gay people, and the fear of negative consequences from employers or co-workers can be clearly seen in the HRC study “Degrees of Equality” detailing why gay employees don’t come out.

  • “Thirty-nine percent believe they will lose connections.
  • Twenty-eight percent believe they will lose promotion opportunities.
  • Seventeen percent believe they will be fired; this number increases to 42 percent for transgender workers.”

Everyone reading theglasshammer.com can do something to contribute to creating a better culture in your firm. Here’s are three ways to reach out.

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Voice of Experience: Alison Rose, Head of Corporate Coverage and Client Management, EMEA, Global Banking & Markets, Royal Bank of Scotland

AlisonRoseBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Alison Rose’s advice for women in banking is to seek out and learn from the women who have gone before. She said, “Seek out role models and invest time your network. Role models are very helpful, particularly in an industry that is male dominated.”

Particularly sage advice, and after all, she should know. Having risen to the role of Head of Corporate Coverage and Client Management for the EMEA region in the Global Banking & Markets division of RBS, Rose is quite a role model herself. Now also leading the firm’s diversity initiative, she is a passionate supporter of attracting and retaining women in the industry.

“Helping women be successful is incredibly exciting and rewarding personally, but it’s also a critical business issue,” she said.

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Voice of Experience: Lis Brown, Application Management Outsourcing (AMO) Lead, Accenture

LisBrownBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Lis Brown, Accenture‘s Application Management Outsourcing (AMO) Lead, based in Singapore, is perhaps the most enthusiastic evangelist we’ve interviewed yet on the importance of relationship-building in the tech industry. According to Brown, working in IT is all about networking and building deep relationships.

“Don’t underestimate the power of networking. You don’t have to come out with your guns blazing to network,” she joked. “But in all that you do, you will become known.”

She continued, “And for women working in the tech space, you’ll be known as ‘the woman who…’ This is something that will just happen, but make sure it happens because you know something as well as someone. I’m probably best known for my ability to build relationships with clients at all levels.”

After over two decades in IT, with a career that has spanned the globe, Brown should know. She has been a passionate supporter of women taking charge of their professional growth in the tech space, as she continues to grow her own career.

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Voice of Experience: Joanne L. Alma, Managing Director, Head of IMD Technology for Europe & Asia, Goldman Sachs

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Joanne Alma“In my view, there are no particular barriers for women in technology,” began Jo Alma, Managing Director and Head of IMD Technology for Europe and Asia at Goldman Sachs. “But we need more role models and more senior female colleagues to learn from and work with.”

She continued, “We tend to look up one or two levels and look for people like ourselves. If more women were in technology, more women could see themselves in the industry. It would be like a self-fulfilling prophesy.”

Alma is doing her part to serve as a role model, as well. Having recently initiated a program at Goldman called Girls in IT, in the past year, Alma and other senior women have made time to speak with teenager girls in UK schools on careers for women in technology. She said, “It’s fantastic to feel you can make a difference for these girls.”

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